Ceiling cooling or heating apparatus

ABSTRACT

Ceiling apparatus for heating or cooling a space includes one or more spiral shaped coils mounted to individual thermally conductive ceiling tiles suspended above the space to be heated or cooled. The spiral shaped coils are interconnected by flexible hose connections so as to define one or more paths of a heat exchange fluid flowing through the coils so as to provide or remove heat from the ceiling tiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to cooling or heating apparatus to be usedwith suspended ceiling configurations in a home, office or othercommercial or industrial buildings.

[0002] It has heretofore been known to mount relatively thin metal tilesin a suspended ceiling configuration of a room or space and to provideapparatus for cooling or heating such mounted tiles. The heating orcooling apparatus typically comprises straight tubes which run back andforth over the top surfaces of the tiles. The tubes usually containflowing water having a regulated temperature sufficient to provide heatto or remove heat from the tiles so as to thereby maintain the tiles ata temperature sufficient to radiantly heat or cool the room.

[0003] It has been found that the thin tiles in such a suspended ceilingconfiguration do not necessarily remain flat. In particular, the tileswill tend to follow the curvature of the suspended ceiling as it flexes,bends or sags due to the weight of the tubes and other loads beingcarried by the suspended ceiling. This causes the ceiling tiles to losecontact with the straight tubes. This loss of contact significantlyimpacts the heat exchange between the tiles and the tubes.

[0004] Solutions to the above loss of contact have in the past includedgluing or clipping the straight tubes to the thin metal tiles in as manyplaces as possible so as to maintain contact between the straight tubesand the tiles. This has resulted in considerable strain being placed onthe straight tubing as well as the glue, or clips holding the tubing tothe tiles when the ceiling sags due to the weight being carried by thesuspended ceiling.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide heating or coolingapparatus for a suspended ceiling that maintains contact with thesuspended ceiling even when the ceiling does not remain flat.

[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide heating orcooling apparatus for a suspended ceiling that maintains contact withthe suspended ceiling in a manner that minimizes any stress or strain onthe cooling or heating apparatus if glued or bonded to the ceiling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The above and other objects are achieved by providing a suspendedceiling with one or more ceiling tiles that are heated or cooled by aheat exchange fluid circulating through spiral shaped coils. The ceilingtiles are preferably thin pieces of perforated sheet metal fabricatedfrom galvanized steel. The perforated sheet metal may be lined with anacoustical backing. Each spiral shaped coil is preferably flattened soas to provide a flat contact surface with the ceiling tile. The spiralshape allows the coil to maintain substantial contact with the ceilingtile when the ceiling tile flexes, bends or sags due to any flexing,bending or sagging of the suspended ceiling.

[0008] The outlet end of each spiral shaped coil is preferably connectedby a flexible hose coupling to the inlet end of an adjacent spiralshaped coil so as to form a series of successively connected spiralshaped coils associated with respective ceiling tiles. The inlet of thefirst spiral shaped coil is furthermore connected to a heat exchangefluid supply pipe whereas the outlet of the last spiral shaped coil isconnected to a heat exchange fluid return pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a room having a suspended ceiling consisting ofa number of individually mounted ceiling tiles for heating or coolingthe room;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a coil to be positioned on aparticular ceiling tile within the suspended ceiling of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a cross section of the coil of FIG. 2;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a series ofinterconnected coils positioned on their respective ceiling tiles;

[0014]FIG. 5 illustrates a flexible hose connection used to connectwater distribution pipes to the coils of FIG. 4;

[0015]FIG. 6 illustrates a flexible hose connection used to interconnectthe coils of FIG. 4.

[0016]FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of alternatively shaped spiralcoils that are interconnected to each other in a different manner thanthe coils of FIG. 3;

[0017]FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of yet another series of spiralshaped coils interconnected to each other in a different manner than thecoils of FIG. 3; and

[0018]FIG. 9 illustrates t he connection used to interconnect the coilsof FIG. 8.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, a room 10 is seen to include a suspendedceiling comprising a number of ceiling tiles, such as 12, eachindividually mounted within a ceiling support structure 14. Each ceilingtile 12 is preferably made of galvanized steel sheet metal that is fiveto eight tenths of a millimeter thick. The sheet metal is preferablyperforated with holes having a diameter in the range of one-half tothree millimeters. The resulting holes preferably constitute between tenand thirty percent of the total exposed surface of the tile 12.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, the top side of the ceiling tile 12 isillustrated relative to a coil 16 that is to be positioned on the topsurface of the ceiling tile 12. The top side of the ceiling tile 12 isseen to include a thin acoustical lining 18 glued to the perforatedgalvanized steel sheet 20 having the one-half to three millimeterdiameter holes 22. The acoustical lining is preferably two tenths of amillimeter thick and consists of a cellulose glass fiber with syntheticresin binder. Such acoustical lining is well known and available from anumber of sources including the Carl Freidenberg Company of Weinheim,Germany. It is to be appreciated that the top side of the ceiling tile12 need not include the acoustical lining 18. In this case, the coil 16would be positioned on the top surface of the perforated galvanizedsteel sheet 20.

[0021] The coil 16 is preferably formed from continuous copper tubinghaving a wall thickness of nine tenths of a millimeter. The coilincludes two spirals, S₁, and S₂ formed from the continuous coppertubing. The first spiral S₁ includes several substantially squarehelical loops with rounded or curved corners. The outermost of thesesquare helical loops is helical loop H₁. These square helical loopsbring the spiral S₁ inward toward the approximate center C₁ of the coil.The second spiral S₂ begins where the first spiral S₁ ends at theapproximate center C₁. Spiral S₂ includes several substantially squarehelical loops that successively bring the spiral outwardly toward theperiphery of the ceiling tile ending with square helical loop H₂. It isto be noted that the square helical loops in spiral S₁ decrease in sizeas the spiral approaches the center of C₁ of the coil whereas the squarehelical loops in S₂ increase in size as the spiral moves outwardly. Itis to furthermore be appreciated that alternatively shaped helical loopsare also possible according to the invention. In particular, the helicalloops in spiral S₁ may, for instance, be continuously curved loops withdecreasing radius of curvatures whereas the helical loops in spiral S₂may have correspondingly increasing radius of curvatures. As will beshown hereinafter, the helical loops may also be rectangular in shape.Referring to FIG. 3, a cross sectional view of helical loop H, isillustrated. The helical loop H₁ is seen to have a flat surface of width“W”. This flat surface is preferably present in all of the helical loopsof spirals S₁ and S₂. This flat surface that is common to all helicalloops is preferably formed by flattening only the particular portion ofthe continuous tubing that has been bent and shaped into the spirals S₁and S₂ It is to be appreciated that the number of helical loops in theformed spirals as well as the dimension of the contact width, W, canvary depending on the amount of desired heat exchange contact that is tobe maintained between the coil and the top surface of the ceiling tile12.

[0022] The coil 16 is preferably held in place on the top surface of theceiling tile 12 by a pair of comer holding pieces 24 and 26, havingedges such as 28 that are preferably clinched to the sides 30, 32 and 34of the ceiling tile 12. The comer holding pieces 24 and 26 exert aslight amount of pressure on the contacted portions of the coil 16 so asto thereby maintain the coil in place relative to the ceiling tile 12.The comer holding piece 24 furthermore stabilizes an upwardly projectingand bent end 36 of the coil whereas the comer holding piece 26stabilizes an upwardly projecting and bent end 38 of the coil. Theremaining portion of the coil is preferably free of any restraints so asto thereby allow the coil to rest freely on the top surface of theceiling tile 12.

[0023] The coil 16 may additionally be bonded to the top surface of theceiling tile 12 by a nontoxic, solvent free polyurethane adhesive havingan aluminum powder added thereto for improved heat conductivity. Theadhesive should be solvent free so as to avoid adverse chemical reactionwith the acoustical lining 18. The solvent free nature of the adhesivealso reduces the odor and flammability of the adhesive connectionbetween the coil and ceiling tile.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, a series of coils are seen to beinterconnected to each other by flexible hose connections 40, 42 and 44.The inlet end of a first coil 46 in this series is furthermore connectedby a flexible hose connection 48 to a cold or warm water supply line 50.The outlet end of a last coil 52 in this series of coils is connectedvia a flexible hose connection 54 to a cold or warm water return line56. It is to be appreciated that water supply lines and return lines areprovided to each series of interconnected coils in FIG. 3. In thismanner, water is successively circulated through each series of coils incontact with their respective ceiling tiles.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, the hose connection used to connect eitherthe water supply line 50 to the inlet of the coil 46 or the outlet ofthe coil 52 to the return line 56 is further illustrated. The flexiblehose connection preferably includes a rotatably mounted threaded nut end58, which engages a threaded extension from either the water supply line50 or the water return line 56. A rotatably mounted quick connect end 60captures the end of the inlet end of the coil 48 when connection is tobe completed to supply line 50. The same rotatably mounted quick connectend captures the outlet end of coil 52 when connection is to becompleted to water return line 56. The quick connect end 60 must becapable of positively gripping the tubing of the coil without scoringthe tubing. Such quick connect ends typically include a sleeve clutchthat provides a positive grip on the coil tubing. These quick connectends furthermore typically include one or more “O” rings that form aseal around the positive grip made by the sleeve clutch. It is to beappreciated that such quick connect ends are well known and commerciallyavailable from a number of sources. The quick connect end used in thepreferred embodiment was obtained from Groupe Legris Industries ofFrance. The flexible hose 62 between the threaded nut end 58 and thequick connect end 60 is preferably a silicon rubber hose rotatablymounted with respect to the threaded nut end 58 and the quick connectend 60. The flexible hose 62 must have sufficient flexibility and lengthto allow the ceiling tile associated with the thus connected coil to berotated downwardly from the support frame in which it is mounted in.Such downward rotation may be necessary in order to gain access to theparticular coil.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 6, an example of the flexible hose connections40, 42 and 46 that are preferably used to connect the inlet and outletends of successive coils is illustrated in detail. The flexible hoseconnection of FIG. 6 preferably includes a flexible hose 62 and tworotatably mounted quick connect ends 64 and 66. Each of these quickconnect ends positively grips either an inlet or an outlet end of a coilso as to form one of the flexible hose connections shown in FIG. 4. Thequick connect ends are preferably the same as the previously describedquick connect end 60. The flexible hose 62 is preferably a siliconerubber hose of sufficient length and flexibility to allow examination ofa connected coil associated with a particular ceiling tile by rotatingthe tile downwardly from the support frame in which it is mounted.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 7, an alternatively shaped set of coils tothose shown in FIG. 3 are schematically illustrated. In particular, aseries of rectangular helical loops forming coils such as 70 are seen tobe connected to a water supply line 72 and a water return line 74. Ascan be seen, groups of four of these coils form a water coolant pathbetween the water supply line 72 and the water return line 74. Eachrectangular shaped coil has a rectangular ceiling tile associatedtherewith such as ceiling tile 76 for coil 72.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 8, another alternative arrangement of coils isschematically illustrated. In particular, a series of spiral shapedcoils such as 80 and 82 are grouped together in pairs with connection 84being used to interconnect the respective ends of the coils to be joinedtogether. The connection 84 is illustrated in FIG. 9. This connection isseen to consist of two quick connect ends 86 and 88 rotatably mounted toa sleeve 90. The quick connect ends are preferably the same as thepreviously discussed quick connect end 60. Referring again to FIG. 8,the resulting paired coils are grouped together in groups of two so asto define water coolant paths between water supply line 92 and waterreturn line 94.

[0029] It is to be appreciated that a preferred embodiment and twoalternative embodiments of the invention have been described.Alterations, modifications and improvements thereto will readily occurto those skilled in the art. For instance, the cooling the coils couldbe interconnected in any number of different configurations to definewater paths between water supply and water return lines. Furthermore,the shape of the coils and ceiling tiles could change. Accordingly, theforegoing is by way of example only and the invention is to be limitedonly by the following claims and equivalents thereto.

1. Apparatus for heating or cooling a space comprising: a plurality ofheat conducting ceiling tiles suspended above the space to be heated orcooled; a plurality of spiral shaped coils in thermally conductivecontact with said plurality of heat conducting tiles; and at least oneheat exchange fluid supply line and at least one heat exchange fluidreturn line connected to said plurality of coils so as to define atleast one path of heat exchange fluid through said plurality of spiralshaped coils in thermally conductive contact with said plurality of heatconducting tiles.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of saidspiral shaped coils has an inlet and an outlet and wherein at least theoutlet of one spiral shaped coil is flexibly connected to an inlet of anadjacent spiral shaped coil.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein atleast one of said spiral shaped coils has an inlet flexibly connected tosaid heat exchange fluid supply line and at least one of said spiralshaped coils has an outlet flexibly connected to said heat exchangefluid return line.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the outlet of thespiral shaped coil is flexibly connected to the inlet of the adjacentcoil by a flexible hose connection having sufficient length andflexibility so as to allow a heat conducting tile associated with eithercoil to be partially removed from its suspended position.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said spiral shaped coils comprise:a first spiral defining a continuous spiral path of heat exchange fluidto the approximate center of the coil; and a second spiral defining acontinuous spiral path of heat exchange fluid away from the center ofthe coil.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and secondspirals of each of said plurality of coils have a flat surface inthermally conductive contact with the top surface of a heat conductivityceiling tile associated with the respective coil.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein each of said heat conducting ceiling tiles comprises: athin piece of galvanized sheet metal formed into the shape of a ceilingtile.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each thin piece of galvanizedsheet metal formed to the shape of a ceiling tile is substantiallyperforated.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the top surface of eachthin piece of galvanized sheet metal has an acoustical layer attachedthereto.
 10. A heating or cooling element to be mounted within asuspended ceiling so as to heat or cool a space below the suspendedceiling, said heating or cooling element comprising: a thermallyconductive tile; and at least one spiral shaped coil positioned on saidthermally conductive tile, said spiral shaped coil having a first spiralbeginning near the periphery of the thermally conductive tile and endingat the approximate center of the coil and having a second spiralbeginning at the approximate center of the coil and ending near theperiphery of the thermally conductive tile, said first and secondspirals combining to define the path of a heat exchange fluid travelingthrough the coil when the heating or cooling element is mounted withinthe suspended ceiling and connected to a source of heat exchange fluid.11. The heating or cooling element of claim 10 further comprising: atleast one holding device attached to said thermally conductive tile forholding said spiral shaped coil in position relative to said thermallyconductive tile.
 12. The heating or cooling element of claim 10 whereinsaid spiral shaped coil furthermore comprises: an upwardly projectingtubular end connected to said first spiral for receiving the heatexchange fluid; and an upwardly projecting tubular end connected to saidsecond spiral which allows the heat exchange fluid to flow out of saidspiral shaped coil.
 13. The heating or cooling element of claim 10wherein said first and second spirals each have at least one flatsurface in contact with the thermally conductive tile.
 14. The heatingor cooling element of claim 13 wherein the flat surface of each spiralhas a predefined width.
 15. The heating or cooling element of claim 10wherein said first and second spirals each comprise a plurality ofhelical loops having flat surfaces in contact with the thermallyconductive tile.
 16. The heating or cooling element of claim 15 whereinthe flat surfaces of said plurality of helical loops are of a predefinedwidth.
 17. The heating or cooling element of claim 10 wherein saidthermally conductive tile comprises: a sheet of perforated thermallyconductive metal; an acoustical lining attached to the top surface ofsaid sheet of perforated thermally conductive metal whereby said firstand second spirals of said spiral shaped coil rest on said acousticallining; and at least one holding device connected to said sheet ofthermally conductive metal for holding said spiral shaped coil inposition on the acoustical lining.
 18. A heating or cooling element tobe mounted within a suspended ceiling so as to heat or cool space belowthe suspended ceiling, said heating or cooling element comprising: athermally conductive tile; at least one spiral shaped coil positioned onsaid thermally conductive tile, said spiral shaped coil comprising firstspiral shaped tubing having a plurality of successively smaller helicalloops that end at the approximate center of the coil; and second spiralshaped tubing beginning at the approximate center of the coil and havinga plurality of successively larger helical loops which end with ahelical loop substantially distant from the approximate center of thecoil.
 19. The coil of claim 18 further comprising: an upwardlyprojecting first tubular end extending from said first spiral shapedtubing; and an upwardly projecting second tubular end extending fromsaid second spiral shaped tubing.
 20. The coil of claim 24 wherein saidfirst and second spirals are flattened so as to define a substantiallyflat contact surface of predefined width in contact with the thermallyconductive tile.